Oh to be a dog.  Such a simple life.  I introduced a doggy ball, easily conveyed the “rules” of the game, which he figured out himself in a second, and now we have a new never-ending obsession.  I roll or throw it, he catches it in his mouth, brings it and sets it down in front of me, backs up a little or nudges it toward me to make room, and repeat. Over, and over, ad infinitum.

It almost, not quite, distracts him from the frisbee, which he also can’t get enough of.  He’ll sit and look at me, look directly at the frisbee hiding place, back at me, etc–we both know exactly what he’s trying to tell the slow human.  Fortunately, this time of year there are always several humans to appeal to with those irresistible eyes.  Resistance is futile.

K tried to take him for his PM walk, only Loucious knew I was there and wouldn’t go!  We really have a thing.  Later K was able to persuade him.  Fortunately the kids and L love each other.  I wonder what will happen at the end of the month.  Probably more whining and howling about getting a dog.

Chanukah 4th lighting was very quiet, as kids were either at a friend’s or sleeping.  It was A, Y, and me.  The HW and testing load is enormous right now, especially on E; it’s exhausting.  I can’t believe kids have to go through so much now.  Yet still E bakes gorgeous cookies for everyone before collapsing.

Anyway, I had run an errand earlier and got a few little tchotchkes for each of them for the next few nights.  They’ve all been clamoring for lists of expensive xmas gifts which sadly I can’t fulfill, so I do what I can for Chanukah and call it a night.  Leave the indulging to the people with discretionary spending money.  I’m lucky if I can pay my bills and pay down dental debts.  No worries.  At least I was here.